Peoria looks to redo Main/University, cuts proposed deficit

The City of Peoria could delay some road projects to completely redo the University and Main intersection following a water main break last week. City Manager Patrick Urich says the city will set up a public meeting with area business owners, Bradley University officials and neighborhood associations to discuss ways to improve the intersection. He says the recent water main break highlights the need to talk about the future of Main and University:

“Time is of the essence in this right now,” Urich says.

“It’s unfortunate we had the water main break, but we know that we’re going to have to fix the entire intersection and repave it, and while we’re there we might as well look at it and really take a look at what we need to do to address that intersection to make it more pedestrian friendly and make it more safe for everyone that uses that intersection.”

Urich says the public input meeting will be held in the next few weeks. He says Illinois American Water would pay for the major costs to tear-up and repave the intersection. In other business the City is cutting its proposed deficit next year by more than $1 million due to changes in the health plan for all city employees. Urich says he hopes to submit the proposed 2014 budget packet to the city council later this month.